Kinga Málnási – The Versatile Team Member

This month we speak with Kinga Málnási, who seems to be everywhere if you are a regular visitor at FirstMed, but her face may also be familiar to those who have never been to the clinic. She works at the front desks of our clinics at both Hattyúház and Hűvösvölgy and represents our FirstMed at various events. Let’s get to know her a little better.

What is the most defining factor in your life?

Love of life and the desire to prove, which may originate from my Transilvanian roots. Though I was just 15 when I moved to Hungary, I was born in Székelyudvarhely, known to non-Hungarians as Odorheiu Secuiesc, Romania. Along with my mother, I also have an uncle and a few cousins who are living here as well. I love living here, and consider the “mother country” my home now. In the end I cannot, and will not, ever deny my roots, which strongly shaped my character.

I started working shortly after finishing secondary school, pursuing many different types of jobs. With each I always did my work with maximum attention and enthusiasm. Among the various jobs I’ve held I have; ironed clothes at a tailor; sold jeans at a market; waited tables at a Székely (this is what Hungarian people of Transylvania are called) restaurant; and then for a five year period ran a bakery with my partner at the time. After we split and sold the bakery, I began working in Budapest for expat families as babysitter with even though I had virtually with no English knowledge. I am always grateful to my friend who helped me start working for English-speaking families. This period in my life was quite formative, helping to open a new world to me.

How did you manage without any command of another language?

It was hard at the beginning; we would look up words in the dictionary I carried with me every day for three months. I would say it took, with help of the family I was working with and lots of computer learning, about 18 months for me to acquire enough English to communicate well on basic level. Working for a Canadian family that traveled a lot with their children, I would have total English immersion on their 1-2 week trips outside of Hungary; it was either English or talk to myself.

Only when I attained a firmer grasp of English did I realized that speaking another language would be my passport to the world. Although I am still not perfect, it adds much to my professional as well as personal development. Before learning English I only spoke Hungarian. In school when I was in Transylvania I was taught the Romanian history and geography in Romanian, but most of that language knowledge is gone now.

How did you come to work for FirstMed?

After a few years of working with children pretty much 365 days a year I felt like I was ready for a change. The family that I was working for, sensing that I was looking for a new challenge, were patients of FirstMed and they suggested I apply for a job.I was going to put in my application with another international clinic, but my employers persuaded me to change my mind because of their positive experiences with FirstMed. A week following my interview I was already training in billing and reception.

What were your initial duties and how did you find working in such a different environment?

It was a huge challenge for me, since it was the first time I worked in an office setting. It required just as much responsibility as working with children, though in different ways; I was anxious to live up to expectations. The probation period lasts for three months. During the first 30 days I learned how to use the billing software and patient relations. From there it was just about practicing what I learned until it was clear to my manager whether or not I was fit for the job.

The job of a FirstMed receptionist is pretty complex. You have to be fast and meticulous, and demonstrate appropriate patient service skills. There is a focus on customer service here and we participate in annual training sessions. Initially these trainings were just for receptionists, but now it has been expanded to all our medical staff, including doctors. This ensures that besides their excellent medical reputation they also have proper and empathetic communication skills to make the patient experience as pleasant as possible. The collective training of medical and administrative staff bring these two profoundly different but interdependent fields closer together working almost like a team-building medium. The cooperation is definitely much easier since these sessions started taking place.

You also work in marketing. Is that right?

Six months after I started working at the front desk I was offered additional responsibilities as a marketing assistant. Initially I got dry administrative tasks, but soon I got involved in more colorful tasks like event attendance and organization. Today I represent the clinic at many expat events. I organize most of FirstMed’s events which I love doing. I have organized our ‘plan holder appreciation’ golf event and the annual family day on Margaret Island that we arrange with our partner, the British Chamber of Commerce. What I am most proud of is FirstMed’s 15th anniversary gala party last year with more than 100 invitees. It was great to celebrate together our milestone 15th ‘birthday’.

And then came Hűvösvölgy…

That’s right. Almost exactly a year ago, on April 1, 2014 FirstMed opened its second location in the Hűvösvölgy section of District II where I work as the administrative manager. When I first started working in 2010, there was already talk about the “new clinic” with a potential opportunity for future advancement. After a lot of bumps in the road it finally opened; two weeks after I was already moving into my office. I still keep many of my other tasks as well, so besides managing the new clinic I am still working at the front desk in the the Hattyúház and organizing and attending events.

The Hűvösvölgy clinic is smaller than our Hattyúház facility. There are four doctors’ offices supported by a small lab. FirstMed services at Hűvösvölgy include internal medicine, gynecology, pediatrics, physical therapy, and dermatology. The clinic can be reached by calling our main number +36-1-224-9090. Our phone operators can give you appointments for either location. It is worth asking for a Hűvösvölgy appointment, as we are still running great offers that you can learn more of following this link.

It looks like you are a “Jane-of-all-trades” here at FirstMed. What about when you’re not working?

I love eating and travelling. To be honest I am not very good at cooking but I attempt it from time to time with more or less success. Before I used to only eat Hungarian food, but when I started travelling, not having my favorite dishes at hand, I was forced to try new, local foods opening up a new world of flavors. Currently, and it changes often, my favorite food is a steak with salad. I love going to New York City, which I consider my second home, but I would also like to visit Central and South America as well. My dream is to try a real Argentinian steak on the Argentinian shores. I hope one day it becomes a reality.

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Kinga Málnási is another vital member of the FirstMed family. She currently is the administrative manager of our newest clinic location in District II on Hűvösvölgyi ut helping to ensure that all our patients get the same great service they have come to expect. Additionally she can occasionally be found assisting the front operations in our Hattyúház location from time to time. An avid bowler and world traveler, this August Ms. Málnási will celebrate her 5th year with FirstMed.

Testimonials

Recently while in Budapest my wife developed an abscess. The evening of the 28th of December I called FirstMed and made an appointment for my wife at 9 am the following morning. The quality of service…[Read more]– James Davis

My experience with you was perfect. I had already been to a few other doctors and clinics, both private and public, and had been very unhappy and frustrated with the level of care they provided and how I had been treated as a non-Hungarian speaker…[Read more]– M.I.

As a former employee, and patient, I may be a bit biased, but FirstMed is family. [My doctor] diagnosed me with a heart murmur, she held my hand throughout the entire process…[Read more]– Suzi Shepherd

FirstMed services deserve to be well-known in Budapest, your overall standard of care is truly outstanding. Your nursing staff were all so attentive and professionally competent that even though my lumbar/sciatic pain…[Read more]– Douglas Johnson

I want to thank every doctor, nurse and receptionist for treating me kindly and going out of their way to make the four visits pleasant. I was in terrible pain and really appreciate the outstanding service in a foreign country. I HIGHLY recommend everyone there.– Lisa Rinaldi

I want to thank you and your staff for your kindness and assistance during my visit. Your service was first rate and very caring. Also, the speed in which you and your staff worked was amazing.– Donna Goldbach-Martin

I would like to commend your entire staff for their excellent care during my visits for treatment the past two weeks. I must say I expected good care but to receive not only Excellent…[Read more]– Art Bailey

I want to say that the organization worked with the efficiency of a Swiss watch. I came in for my Visa physical and I was nervous. The doctor was great!! She made me feel relaxed and comfortable…[Read more]– Ryan J.

I just want to say “Thank you” for the excellent service and care I have received through FirstMed Centers. Your receptionists are always pleasant and willing to serve. The nurses and doctors have been professional and helpful. I feel I have received excellent health care while living in Hungary.– Elaine Broadley

I chose FirstMed from a selection of clinics advertised on the web. I liked the way the staff members were listed with photos on the website, and was encouraged by the testimonials…[Read more]– Sara Duncan

As a first time Mum I did not know what to expect and FirstMed was able to guide me though the medical pre-natal issues and also the softer non-medical issues such as hospital tours..[Read more]– Jenny and John M.

Unfortunately our family is leaving Budapest… I would like to thank you and your colleagues for all your help ant treatments done for us. It was big pleasure to be patients of your clinic.
Thank you very much!– A.J.

I have been to your click twice, met with two doctors, they are wonderful. One is the Orthopedist, and the other one is the eye Dr. Peter Gyöngyösi. They both are very professional and friendly, make you feel very comfortable and welcomed. The receptionists are also very friendly.– Yan. S.

[Dr. Detra] I was the 21-year-old Hong Kong young man who had visit First Med for a small surgery on my leg due to the pus. I have kept visiting clinic for cleaning the wound in Poland and Czech after travelling to there. [Read more]– Cheuky Lai- Hong Kong

[Regarding a visit with Dr. Toth] The whole process was very professional. I appreciated the quality of health care & diagnosis that made it easy to manage with my situation. Certainly will be delighted to recommend others in because of the professional approach.-J.K.

Very positive experience, from the receptionist, to the nurse, the lab assistants, the physician. Everybody is very professional and at the same time prioritize the customer experience.[Read more]– L.T.

I have visited FirstMed several times and I have always found it to be helpful. I go to a private doctor because my experience with Hungarian doctors who do not work in the private sector is that they do not listen to patient needs. I will return should my health situation require another visit. Thank you for providing a quality service.[Read more]– Dr. B.E.